Plan much?

I love to pre-plan a preposterous amount.  So here is my hypothetical
2011 World Series of Poker Vegas trip itinerary. Keep in mind that although this schedule is based on the very likely time line that I will bust out of my World Series of Poker adventure, it doesn't mean in any way shape or form that I don't really believe I can go deep. I really do - but planning is mucho fun for me, and if I do go deep in my bracelet event, there won't be much left for me to plan!

As an aside, before winning my seat, I had originally thought I would partake in a bunch of satellites at the Rio - but now as that would entail the hassle of having to enter more multiple day events if I got lucky, I will content myself with a single Deep Stack at the Rio and of course the big $1500 event in which I'm staked.

Fri. - 6/24 - Arrive @8am

9am - Monte Carlo - $50
This one is simply because I know I'm going to get bored sitting around waiting for my 2pm tournament, the Rio Deep Stack, to get underway. The Monte Carlo's poker room at 9am is a fantastically mellow and ultra-low pressure environment for a trashy $50 tournament with an utterly ridiculous structure and equally silly recreational players. The perfect pre-meal palate cleanser before I head over to the Rio. It is almost assured to be under 3 hours and if I do cash (which I have done here before) it will be minimal anyway.

2pm - Rio Deep Stack - $240
I'll probably check into the Orleans before heading over to the Mecca of Poker for 2011.  The 2pm Rio Deepstack is my main appetizer and an ideal way to get my feet wet for the big day.   It takes place in the Amazon room or the Pavillion room - so essentially I'm playing in the exact same environs, and with the same table, chips, dealer, players, as the WSOP.   Who could ask for a better warm-up?   I am so glad I changed my travel plans to arrive a day earlier - I think it would have been a big mistake to play on the same day I flew in.  If I do happen to go deep in this particular tournament, it could be a very late night.  Last year this one typically finished up as the sun came up; but I know they've tweaked the structure a fair bit so it's not quite so deep, hopefully it won't go too much beyond midnight.   If it does, I just pray that I get into some real money.

7pm - Orleans Daily - $75
This one is entirely optional - and I know I'll want to do it if I only get a few hours play out of the previous tourney. Again, the Orleans is my nemesis - still the best daily tournament structure for the money, the players are straightforward and no better than the regulars I routinely hang with at Hollywood Park; and yet a cash here continues to elude me. Eventually I'll probably learn to give up on this crowd, but a big part of me really wants to get this monkey off my back. If I've played over 4 hours at the Rio there's a very good chance I'll just blow this one off to get ready for the big day.


Sat.            6/25

Noon - WSOP #43 - $1500   (Staked)
This is it! The main course! I'll likely get to the Rio far too early. I'm going to register the weekend prior so that I don't have to worry about signing up. Instead I'm hoping I can take advantage of the free seminar being offered in the Brasilia room, I believe "Jungleman" Cates will be lecturing on post-flop play. Jungleman is an online cash game phenom, so I know it will be good to soak up some poker thinking before I sit down. If it turns out the Brasilia room is a hassle in any way shape or form, I'll quickly blow it off and walk around a bit before making my way to my table.

Again, playing the day before in the same room will likely help alleviate the butterflies a bit. I just have to remember, like I would in my 20's when I would umpire a State Varsity baseball game, it's just another game. It's just another tournament. I'm also going to keep very aware, that my main goal in this is to savor the experience. To enjoy myself. To be friendly, to not fret - this is a remarkable once in a lifetime opportunity, and it would be a real shame to squander it with stress and doubt. There are plenty of guys worse than me who have luck boxed their way into the money, into big money, into a final table and even into a bracelet. Why not me? I have to focus on making the best decision I can at the moment, and then let go, let God and let the cards fall where they may.

I plan to snap pictures with my phone best I can, and to tweet like crazy in between hands and on breaks. Be sure to follow me @manzoni on twitter.

As far as strategy - what can I say. I've found in the more and more live events I attend, that I can't really go in with too much of a heavily defined plan. It all really is dependent on the players that I find myself among. Since there are hour long rounds, and I'm starting with 180 big blinds, there will be some time to observe before jumping in.

Really, the best plan I can commit to is to play pretty much the opposite of the tenor of the table. If I catch early on that most people are timid and folding a lot, I'll widen my range and be prepared to get aggressive, even if a flop blanks. If I find that there are 3 or more maniacs eager to get it all in - wanting very much to go big or go home, I may have to pretty much shut down and wait for premiums to arrive - or if I can speculate cheaply, I hope to set mine and bust a bully or two. But when the antes roll around, all bets - literally, are off.

As I've said here before, just two entries ago, I really have zero interest in playing for 8 hours or more and not coming anywhere near the money. I want to savor as intensely as I can for about 4 hours - and then well before the antes kick in at level six, regardless of who I'm facing - I will open up tremendously and be ready to push, push and push some more. If it turns out that I have to bluff into a monster pot, I'm ready to do it - hopefully I can get lucky and get the bulk of my chips in with the goods. I will not squeak and survive, simply because my only reward for doing so will be to exhaust myself with no real chance at cashing. I've got to shoot for 200 big blinds or more by the end of the first day, to have a realistic opportunity at a financial windfall. This isn't to sell myself short or to insure that I implode - this is just reality. I hope if I have to tell a tale of triple barrel bluffing off my chips into the nuts, that my backers (who are all real poker players) will be able to grasp the reality of the situation and be understanding.

In many ways - my fate has already been decided. If I agonize and beat myself up over not making a mistake, I will be distracted and disproportionately nervous. If I accept that there are certain things, or rather certain cards, that I can't control; and that I'm going to play the best I can and leave it up to the poker Gods, I know I'm going to have a great event; and beyond that a great long weekend of playing a heck of a lot of poker.

So with my acceptance and poker zen completely in place, I'll now continue with the silly over-planning. Regardless of how my main dish turns out, I still plan to enjoy some tasty second courses and a variety of deserts.

7pm - Mirage Daily - $60
The remainder of tournaments on the 25th obviously are entirely optional. Even if I can barely make this one at the Mirage, I'll likely pass if I've played 5+ hours at the Rio. I may pass regardless. I have a feeling that whatever does happen, even say if I bust after an hour, I'll be mentally stretched and fried. I may just want to hit the pool back at the hotel, or maybe catch an afternoon flick. A long walk will also probably do me some good.

But if for some reason I'm up for more poker - I plan to head down to the good old Mirage for some always rockin', usually drunken, recreational player fun in their turbo structured nightly. Unfortunately, it looks like according to their schedule, that they've discontinued their bounty tournaments - which were always a blast. Nonetheless, I know I'll get good fun value out of this venue.

10pm - T.I. Turbo -  $50
I don't see any way I'll realistically be up for this one, especially if I make it to the dinner break at the WSOP. BUT, and yes, it's a big but - if Cali and company are with me and circling the wagons, the super turbo at T.I. might be just the ticket. Always fun, always rather pointless, you can't really go wrong with the fastest dealers and the smoke-free-est room on the strip.


Sun.    6/26

I should note that at some point on this day I'm going to check in on Cali and Eric, who will be entering WSOP #45 - a 1K bracelet event. I don't want to distract them, but I think they'd appreciate a small dose of moral support with a quick howdy from the rail.

1pm - Aria Daily - $125
The morning after, I plan to sleep in. Then I'm off to the dailies. Good old Aria is not the tourist aquarium it used to be, but their daily is still the best structured deal around. If I haven't cashed yet, this is where I'll be headed.

or

Noon - Venetian DSE - $340
If by some weird circumstance I have made the money elsewhere (probably on Friday, but it could happen post-WSOP on Saturday) I very well may join Sven in this Venetian special (and potentially 3 day) event. After the WSOP, this shouldn't be high pressure at all - but it will nonetheless likely be a much tougher field than at the Rio, but the prize pool will be pretty bad ass.

7pm - Venetian Daily - $125
If I choose the Aria first, then this one will be my evening pick. (If I bust from the Venetian DSE then I'll make the Aria's 7pm). The Venetian will still be running their 7pm second chance, and it will be a good opportunity to hook back up with Sven who will likely be in the DSE (and hopefully still playing in it.)

10pm - T.I. Turbo - $50
For sure if I'm busted out of the 7pm, I'll be making this one - especially specially if I didn't make it to T.I. the night before. This poker room, as crappy as the tournament actually is, is always a place I seek out.


Mon.    6/27

Noon - Golden Nugget - $120
This time I'm going to do it, dammit! It's been almost 3 years, and I haven't made it downtown, but this time there's real incentive. According to 2+2, my poker forum of choice, the Nugget's Grand Series is the best structured by far of all the one day lower buy in special events. I'm going to make a very real and concerted effort to plan on this one - because I want a new experience, and with a good ass structure and a slightly smaller (though no doubt tougher) field on a Monday, I have as good a chance as any to make a real cash on this one. I've got to check it out! If by some bad luck, I bust out super quick in this one, I will high tail it over to Binion's for their 2pm NLHE.

7pm - Orleans H.O.R.S.E - $75
Here is my first really tasty bit of dessert - and I may avoid it if no one will play it with me, but Cali (assuming he busts on Sunday) will very likely come along for the ride. Since I am dead money here, if I get no takers - I'll likely head back to the Aria or Venetian. I don't really want to be downtown after the sun goes down.

10pm - T.I. Turbo - $50
Good old reliable! Really looking forward to the TD recognizing me when I come back over and over on this trip!


Tues.   6/28

Noon - Caesars Mega Stack - $250
or
2pm - Binion's Classic PLO8 - $200
Not sure which one of these I'll pony up for, though I'm leaning pretty heavily towards the NLHE event. If Cali is super enthusiastic about the PLO8, I'll join him - but I have the feeling that the price point will cool his jets. The Caesars event I may also blow off if the boys are in the mood for something more modestly priced - Aria will always be there for me.

7pm - Orleans Daily - $75
Finally, if I'm still itching for one more, I'll make sure it's close to my bed, as I'm flying out at the crack on Wednesday. I'll change my flight and stay another night if Cali goes deep obviously, or if for some crazy reason I final table!